They are undefeated and beaming with confidence.
From the opening tip to the echoing chants counting down the clock by the roaring hometown fans, Cardozo never looked more determined.
On Thursday, December 17, the Cardozo men’s basketball team (5-0) dismantled Flushing (1-5) 80-30 on a chilly night in Bayside. The pace of the game was set by the big three for the Judges: Dwayne Brunson, Reynaldo Walters, and Ryan Rhoomes.
The tenacious trio had 51 out of the 80 points scored by Cardozo – with Brunson leading the pack with 19.
During the first half, Cardozo took control by knocking down shots beyond the arc and solid work on the offensive boards. After a 24-10 first quarter, the Red Devils tried to catch up, but couldn’t even catch their breath.
Looking in on the sidelines, one might understand why the two teams have the records that they do.
Cardozo coach Ron Naclerio’s throat was probably sore after all the screaming he did on the bench. Not letting up on his squad for a second, Naclerio’s constant “Let’s Go!” really pumped his team up.
“Naclerio is Naclerio . . . he has a great perspective on the game and we work hard for him,” said Walters, the senior point guard for Cardozo.
About 15 feet from Naclerio sat Charles Richardson.
The Flushing coach seemed to be the exact opposite of his borough rival. Sitting in a chair for most of the game, Richardson looked mentally and physically exhausted from the beat-down his team was receiving.
In the second half of the game, it got ugly.
Cardozo outscored Flushing 39-6 and only allowed them to scored one point in the third quarter.
“[Flushing] is a team to be reckoned with…you can’t sleep on anyone in this division,” Naclerio said. “We just have more talent and size – we wore them down.”
Pick-and-rolls, and alley-oop dunks from Walters to Rhoomes and Brunson sent a bona-fide message that this team is ready for anyone in their division.
Sitting at the top of the standings with the also undefeated Forest Hills team, Cardozo looks to wage war with the Rangers on Friday, January 8 to see who the division leader truly is.
“This was like a statement game for Forest Hills since we lost to them last year,” said Walters, who has verbally committed to Northfolk State University. “Every game we try to come out with a new and improved strategy to just win.”
